The first in a series of three unique interpretations of the same song, “Dreamcatchers” is also the title-track of YOVA’s awaited second album (set for release in early 2024).
A disparate and dream-like track that conjures a whirlwind of warped and windswept imagery. It sees Jova Radevska’s beguiling vocals intertwining amongst shape-shifting instrumentation that builds with a mounting intensity.
With a pared-back and sparse opening that spirals toward a haunting choral finale, the band say “Dreamcatchers” is
“intended to be a part immersive, timeless pop anthem and part mini-requiem for a modern world where societal pressures erode our imagination and catch our dreams.”
YOVA
Focused simply around a revolving (and evolving) chord pattern written on an acoustic guitar, Mark Vernon explains:
“In-keeping with the title, “Dreamcatchers” exists in its own curious orbit and arrived unexpectedly as any dream does: so completely out of the ether.
Mark Vernon
An ode to the internal battle that often accompanies the fear of straying away from your dreams, Jova adds:
“Life is such that there are always reasons to stop following one’s dreams. There are hundreds of reasons to veer off one’s path, and someone will always be waiting to catch you in their net and give you their purpose. Sometimes the internal battle can be very loud and long, hence the inner voice calling to “make up your mind”.
Jova Radevska
The track also sees YOVA (website) accompanied by an array of collaborators who each add their own unique twist to “Dreamcatchers”’s beguiling soundscape. With a focus on the unorthodox use of analogue instrumentation, the new track principally features award-winning Dutch/Australian composer Kate Moore on cello. Using the distinctive ‘sulpont’ technique, Kate’s cello work creates an unpredictable range of otherworldly harmonics. Fusing together a brooding and seductive sonic atmosphere, YOVA are also joined by Alex Thomas (John Cale/Anna Calvi)who plays primitive, tribal-like percussion on mallets, Daniel O’Sullivan (Sunn O))) / Grumbling Fur)who offers mysterious and medieval-sounding zither phrases and James Sedwards (Thurston Moore) on electric guitar.
YOVA (website) are Jova Radevska and Mark Vernon. With Vernon a seasoned veteran of the alternative music scene who has managed and recorded with John Cale and co-produced tracks on PJ Harvey’s debut album ‘Dry’, a chance encounter with Macedonian vocalist and songwriter Jova paved the way for their bewitching collaborative project.
Their debut album ‘Nine Lives’ was released in late 2021 to praise from the likes of Louder Than War, Electronic Sound and MOJO, with the latter hailing the album as “a beguiling debut from a duo of sonic adventurers” in their four star review.
The band’s video for previous single “An Innocent Man” also scooped the Best Animation Music Video at the New York Animation Awards 2022. With new single “Dreamcatchers” arriving as the first sampler from the band’s forthcoming album of the same name, expect more news from YOVA coming soon..
